Categories: Posts

Wanted: Jason Donald

Larry Stone of the Seattle Times says the Mariners should explore a trade for Phillies infield prospect Jason Donald. He writes:

“Donald, 24, was a standout on the Olympic team, has excelled in the minors, and is said by scouts to be ready for a big-league job.

But as a middle infielder in the Phillies’ organization, he’s buried behind Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley. Donald is playing some third base in the Arizona Fall League (where he’s tearing up the league at .459 in 18 games), but probably doesn’t have the power to play the position in the majors.”

Stone fails to cite the Phils have power at a non-power position (second base). In his notebook, David Murphy spoke to Ruben Amaro Jr., who said having Donald play third is a contingency for the hot hitter. Scott Boras, Donald’s agent, added he doesn’t think Donald will be moved this season.

Back to the M’s. I don’t know who the Mariners have under contract that would be appealing to the Phillies. Unless the M’s want to revisit an Erik Bedard trade, the only name that says anything to me is Adrian Beltre, but he hasn’t played a lick of outfield in his career.

I wouldn’t mind throwing Donald out there for trade possibilities. But the Mariners just aren’t the right partner.

Tim Malcolm

Tim first found the Phillies as a little infant at Veteran’s Stadium, cheering on a Juan Samuel game-winning home run in his very first game. With the pinstripes in his blood, he witnessed Terry Mulholland’s 1990 no-hitter, “Steve Carlton Night” at the Vet, game three of the 1993 World Series, countless games during the charmed 2008 championship season and various road excursions. Since November 2007 Tim’s been writing about them daily at Phillies Nation, becoming one of the world’s most popular Phillies scribes. You can catch him on Twitter and Facebook, as well. When he’s not talking about the Phils he’s relaxing with a St. Bernardus ABT 12 or one of his many favored brews.